He said there was no automatic approval for husbands and wives to meet each other across state lines. “They should get police permission first before buying their air tickets (for inter-state travel),” he told reporters after a special ministerial meeting here today.

Ismail said Sarawak imposed tighter travel restrictions than that enforced in the peninsula. “In Sarawak, even inter-district travel is not allowed except with police permission,” he added.

Inter-state travel remains banned under the movement order which is in effect until June 9, except for emergencies, to attend funerals, go to work, and for married couples who live far apart to meet.

All travel for these other reasons also need police approval, he said.

He also said police arrested 43 people yesterday and issued compound penalties on 356 others for various offences of violating the movement order.

A total of 134 compound notices were issued on inter-state travellers stopped at roadblocks: the highest numbers were in Perak (40), Selangor (29) and Penang (23).

Penang police have denied a viral posting on social media that people commuting between Penang and Kedah for work must obtain an inter-state travel permit.

Seberang Perai Utara police chief Noorzainy Mohd Noor said workers only needed to show their work pass and a letter from their employer if they are stopped at roadblocks.

There were claims that some people were told to turn back but Noorzainy said there was no roadblock at the location mentioned in the posting.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR LIVE UPDATE OF THE COVID-19 SITUATION IN MALAYSIA

Fake or not? Check our quick fake news buster here.